The leaves in gymnosperms are welladapted to withstand extremes of temperature, humidity and wind. In conifers, the needlelike leaves reduce the surface area. Their thick cuticle and sunken stomata also help to reduce water loss. Unlike bryophytes and pteridophytes, in gymnosperms the male and the female gametophytes do not have an independent free-living existence. They remain within the sporangia retained on the sporophytes.